Plaza Nueva, Granada's Oldest Square

The Real Chancillería dominates the north side of the square with its striking Renaissance facade, designed by Francisco del Castillo "el mozo" and Diego de Siloé in the 16th century. This building housed the High Court that administered justice across Andalusia and southern Spain, including a supreme court and an adjoining prison built in the 17th century.

Today it houses the High Court of Justice of Andalusia, still fulfilling a judicial role after five centuries. The main facade bears the imperial coat of arms of Charles V and decorative elements typical of the Spanish Renaissance. Its inner courtyard, with Doric columns, is a fine example of 16th-century Granada civil architecture.

Other notable buildings include the Casa de los Pisa, with its distinctive noble facade, and the buildings housing teahouses and traditional shops that keep the square's historic atmosphere alive.

The Pilar del Toro was the last work Diego de Siloé completed in Granada, in the 16th century. This Renaissance fountain, carved from Sierra Elvira stone, is notable for its bull's head, from which two jets of water flow. It originally stood on Calle Elvira, where it supplied water to residents and served as a drinking trough, before being moved to its current spot in 1940.

Plaza de Santa Ana stretches out to the east, connecting with the Church of San Gil and Santa Ana, built in 1537. This brick Mudéjar church is notable for its beautiful portico and its minaret tower, which was later topped with a Christian bell tower. The church still preserves elements of the original mosque that once stood on the site.

Highlights of the ensemble:

Pilar del Toro: Renaissance fountain by Diego de Siloé, with a bull's head

Church of Santa Ana: 16th-century Mudéjar church with a minaret tower

Plaza de Santa Ana: eastern extension with a quieter atmosphere

Connectivity: direct access to the Albaicín via cobbled streets

Plaza Nueva is the natural starting point for the Albaicín via the Carrera del Darro, considered one of the most beautiful walks in Spain. This route follows the Darro river, passing hanging houses, 11th-century Arab baths and Renaissance palaces before reaching Paseo de los Tristes beneath the walls of the Alhambra.

Alternatively, you can head up Calle Elvira towards the famous teahouses of Calderería Nueva and Calderería Vieja, which keep an Arab atmosphere alive with traditional decor, spiced tea and Middle Eastern sweets. This area still follows the winding, narrow street layout of the Muslim era.

To reach the Alhambra, take the Cuesta de Gomérez, which climbs through the Alhambra woods along shaded paths with panoramic views. It's a 20-minute walk that avoids buses and lets you enjoy the monument's natural surroundings.

Main routes from Plaza Nueva:

Carrera del Darro: riverside walk towards Paseo de los Tristes

Calle Elvira: climb to the Albaicín through the teahouse district

Cuesta de Gomérez: pedestrian access to the Alhambra through the woods

Calle Reyes Católicos: link to Gran Vía and the shopping district

The story of Plaza Nueva begins in the Muslim period with the bridge of Al-Hattabin (Bridge of the Woodcutters), which crossed the Darro river when it still flowed visibly above ground. This bridge connected the centre of the medina with the northern districts and was an essential crossing point for the timber trade coming down from Sierra Nevada.

After the Christian conquest of 1492, the growing population made it necessary to expand the city's infrastructure. In 1499 the original bridge was widened with a brick arch built by Alí de Mediana, but the sheer volume of people still caused traffic problems. In 1506, permission was granted to build a square by completely covering over the river.

Construction timeline:

Muslim era: bridge of Al-Hattabin over the visible Darro river

1499: widening of the bridge with a brick arch by Alí de Mediana

1506: authorisation to build a square covering the river

1515: works completed by stonemason Miguel Sánchez de Toledo

16th century: construction of the Real Chancillería and other main buildings

The original project extended only as far as Cuesta de Gomérez but was later expanded to connect with what is now Plaza de Santa Ana. The work was completed in 1515 by stonemason Miguel Sánchez de Toledo, creating a unique urban space that combined commercial function with the representation of royal power.

The square has been at the centre of Granada life for five centuries, hosting jousting games, tournaments, bullfights and public executions, before becoming the cultural and social space we know today, with its flamenco shows and lively tapas atmosphere.

Plaza Nueva sits in Granada's historic centre with excellent public transport links from anywhere in the city. It's an obligatory stop for numerous bus routes and a key landmark for finding your way around Granada, sitting right between the shopping district and the historic neighbourhoods.

City buses that reach Plaza Nueva or nearby include lines C31, C32 and C34, which stop directly in the square, and lines 4, 8, 11, 21 and 33, which stop at Gran Vía 1, a 200-metre walk away. Minibuses C1 and C2 connect with the Albaicín and Sacromonte from nearby stops.

From the bus station, take line 33 direct to Gran Vía. From the train station, take line 4 to Gran Vía. From the airport, take the shuttle bus into the centre and then a city bus line. Plaza Nueva is a pedestrian zone, so there's no access for private vehicles.

The square is perfectly signposted from anywhere in the historic centre and is a natural landmark for getting around Granada. Its location makes it an ideal meeting point for starting tourist routes or for meeting up with people unfamiliar with the city.

Plaza Nueva is the perfect meeting point for guided tours of Granada, with direct links to the Alhambra, Albaicín, historic centre and Sacromonte. Its strategic location makes it easy to design flexible routes tailored to different interests: historic monuments, traditional neighbourhoods or urban nature.

Official guided tours usually start at Plaza Nueva, as it's easy to find and has plenty of open space for groups. From here, themed tours can explore Granada's urban evolution from the Muslim era to the present day, using the buildings around the square itself as architectural examples.

Recommended tours from Plaza Nueva:

Albaicín and Sacromonte tour

Free tour of Granada

Guided tour of the Alhambra

Night-time free tour

GranadaTours organises specialised visits that include Plaza Nueva as a starting point, explaining the city's urban transformation. Local guides know the historical anecdotes behind the buildings, legends about the buried Darro river, and curiosities about traditional Granada life that enrich the experience.

To book tours starting at Plaza Nueva, get in touch with local operators who guarantee small groups and personalised commentary tailored to visitors' interests. The advantage is being able to combine the square with other nearby monuments on integrated routes that make the most of your time and deliver a complete experience of Granada's heritage.

Plaza Nueva is also an ideal finishing point for tours coming down from the Alhambra or the Albaicín, ending in an area with plenty of public transport, dining and shopping options in Granada's historic centre.